Metaxas & Sins GQT open reel tape recorder – Munich High End 2018

Cast your minds back to January. Now, remember the remarkable-looking ‘GQT’ (Georges Quellet Tribute) reel to reel tape player that I brought you the first details of. We have just been given news that the finished article will be in Munich next week.

The waiting’s almost over as Metaxas & Sins will launch one of the world’s first modern day open reel tape recorders next week at the High-End audio show in Munich.

Do we need reel to reel now?

If you are a member of any audio forums you will have no doubt noticed that interest in reel-to-reel players and recorders has been increasing over the years. For those of you confused by this resurgence, there is a simple reason for it. Many see open reel tape as the incontestable master of superb sound. But what if you don’t have the know-how to bring an old machine back to working order?

Until now, buying a brand new open reel tape deck wasn’t an option. There weren’t any. Production of these ceased a couple of decades ago, mostly in light of the digital age. But what digital technology offers in economies and conveniences, it generally never matches in authentic, visceral detail.

Design

What initially stands out about a Metaxas & Sins product is its unmistakeable design. Far from the usual black or silver box of electronics, this is where hi-fi meets modern art. These pieces are magnificent, avant-garde sculptures. But don’t imagine for a second that this is a case of all style and no substance. This is state-of-the-art listening. Not a simple matter of sound quality, but rather what Metaxas calls “truth in sound”.

Kostas Metaxas enthuses

There’s no doubt that the absolute best ‘source’ for reproduced music is analogue tape and that reel-to-reel tape recorders are the best way to record and capture music, bar none. This is a fact, not open for discussion,”

Over the years, Metaxas has worked particularly closely with Stellavox. Hence, the design of the new Metaxas open reel tape recorder draws heavily on the classic Stellavox SM8. This has the full blessing of Stellavox’s founder Georges Quellet.

The Metaxas & Sins ‘GQT’

The Metaxas & Sins ‘GQT’ (Georges Quellet Tribute) is a portable analogue tape machine designed for on-location recording as well as for home or studio playback. Biased for either SM468 or SM911 1/4? analogue tape, it operates at 15ips using a brushless DC motor in a purely mechanical operation. In other words, it’s built like a large mechanical Swiss watch mechanism – with absolutely no logic controls or other computer-controlled components. The circuits use 100% discrete transistors and feature parts comparable in construction to those found in decks crafted in the 1960s and early 1970s before the introduction of logic controls and 5534 operational amplifiers.

Metaxas states

Magnetic tape technology is extremely complex. It places the highest demands on detail and precision in design and engineering. But its sound qualities have never been bettered so it’s 100% worth the challenge. For me, it’s absolutely essential that open reel tape continues to exist – and indeed thrive – alongside other formats. I’m genuinely honoured to be playing a small part in making that happen.”

On show

Metaxas & Sins will launch the ‘GQT’ (Georges Quellet Tribute) open reel tape recorder at The Munich High End Show on 10th-13th May 2018 in Hall 1.0, Stand DO1a